Be Kind. Start a conversation - it’s the little things that count and that make someone’s day!

The best way to end the stigma surrounding mental health and wellness is to start a conversation about it.

It’s all about connections; whether it's noticing how nice someone looks, or asking how their hockey practice was, connecting is about starting the conversation. More importantly, personal connections can impact the wellness of others.

Each time you make a connection, build a relationship or take the time to ask someone how they are doing, YOU are making our Grand Erie community a healthier and safer place. Suicide prevention is rooted in human connection. Let’s keep caring for each other through asking about sports games, and noticing each other’s progress. Our students benefit from caring, connected and belonging environments.

Connecting to Kindness:

Consider how you talk about other students, people on TV, in hallways, in class or on social media. How you speak about others can directly affect how others feel about themselves. Being kind to someone doesn’t cost you anything, but it can make a huge impact for someone else.

Being kind and building connections is one of the greatest suicide prevention resources we have available to us. It is also one of the greatest resources we have towards building mentally well environments. Although you as an individual may not be able to solve another person’s happiness, we can bring relief and joy to others in the smallest of ways. Buy someone’s coffee, hold a door open. Be genuine and be interested.

Connectedness is one of the most important factors in supporting our students to promote their good health, prevent further harm when they are showing signs of distress and supporting them when they are mentally unwell.

Connect with someone you feel comfortable with and talk about mental health. Every person is going through something different